Except breaking vase (4)
I believe the answer is:
save
'except' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'breaking vase' is the wordplay.
'breaking' indicates anagramming the letters (back).
'vase' is an anagram of 'SAVE'.
(Other definitions for save that I've seen before include "Deliver - conserve" , "Husband" , "Bar" , "Rescue and put money aside" , "Keep" .)